 ood is plentiful and delicious in Vienna, because Austria is always Hungary. Sorry. - S.T.
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 AT A GLANCE
La Vienna Restaurant
2139 Kensington Road NW, Calgary, AB
403-283-3063
European
Kensington
Venue:
Restaurant
Hours:
Price Range:
$$ (Affordable)
Payment:
American Express, Master Card, VISA
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THE BUZZ
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IN THE AREA
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5 Reader Reviews | Having just moved to Calgary from Europe, the meal that I had in this restaurant reminded me of something I would encounter at a "tourist trap." I personally found that the style was more confusion rather than infusion.
I ordered a chicken dish that came with vegetables - everything was drowned in an overly salty sauce. The natural flavour of the food was completely lost and the quality of the chicken reminded me of what I've had in fast food restaurants.
Overall, the food was edible but I doubt that I'd ever return. For the same price, there are much better Italian restaurants in Calgary.
1. Anonymous's Review :: March 18, 2008 |
Having just moved to Calgary from Europe, the meal that I had in this restaurant reminded me of something I would encounter at a "tourist trap." I personally found that the style was more confusion rather than infusion.
I ordered a chicken dish that came with vegetables - everything was drowned in an overly salty sauce. The natural flavour of the food was completely lost and the quality of the chicken reminded me of what I've had in fast food restaurants.
Overall, the food was edible but I doubt that I'd ever return. For the same price, there are much better Italian restaurants in Calgary.
2. Foodie's Review :: March 18, 2008 Foodie's Rating: 2 Stars |
This restaurant is anything but "inauthentic", as mentioned by someone earlier in reviewing La Viena. The style of food featured here is known as fusion - for all of your gourmands out there.
So what fusion means for those of you who don't know, is exactly what it sounds like - it is a blend of a few different types of cusines, with one type of cuisine usually being the base. In the case of La Viena, it is Italian fusion - and that it is! Beautifully done, I might add. The Vietnamese owner is not trying to be an "authentic" Italian chef, she is experimenting - and quite fabulously I might add - with different flavours never before tried, and finding good balances in her dishes as a result. So you have flavours such as sweet and spicy together for instance. And though the owner is Vietnamese, she is not using Vietnamese influences to blend with Italian, I noticed mostly Indian, or sometimes Chinese. Desserts are wonderful, and world class for their price range, and for Calgary. I have only had slightly better tiramisu for instance in Italy.
So for the people who want great food and aren't too ignorant about what good food actually is (as in you have taste that doesn't include just meat and potatoes, or worse, hamburgers or something nasty like that), then do try La Viena, you won't regret it!
3. Indrani's Review :: October 07, 2007 Indrani's Rating: 4 Stars |
first off, this place is called LA VIENA. google "la viena calgary" if
you don't believe me.
service is great, it's nice to see servers in this city that don't act as if a tip is deserved. they definitely earn it here and they don't have that earls-like fakeness to them
the food here is delicious, but not very challenging. i go to this place when i just had a long work out and i want some great pasta without having to dress up or make reservations. this is great for a casual night and a straightforward meal, not so much for a big date or a important function.
i say all of this for a good reason; it's inauthentic. not as inauthentic as lucianos or that crap chianti that the calgary sun raves about, but this place is not as authentic as sandro's. the head chef is Asian and it shows in the presentation, service, pretty much everything. this isn't an insult or a jab at the place, it's just the reality. and despite this reality, they cook a pretty good dish.
overall, i recommend this place if you are looking for a new place to try. it's my favorite italian place, because, hey, you can only get into sandro's with a reservation ( as long as 7 days ), and i never plan out that far.
4. Anonymous's Review :: August 13, 2007 |
first off, this place is called LA VIENA. google "la viena calgary" if
you don't believe me.
service is great, it's nice to see servers in this city that don't act as if a tip is deserved. they definitely earn it here and they don't have that earls-like fakeness to them
the food here is delicious, but not very challenging. i go to this place when i just had a long work out and i want some great pasta without having to dress up or make reservations. this is great for a casual night and a straightforward meal, not so much for a big date or a important function.
i say all of this for a good reason; it's inauthentic. not as inauthentic as lucianos or that crap chianti that the calgary sun raves about, but this place is not as authentic as sandro's. the head chef is Asian and it shows in the presentation, service, pretty much everything. this isn't an insult or a jab at the place, it's just the reality. and despite this reality, they cook a pretty good dish.
overall, i recommend this place if you are looking for a new place to try. it's my favorite italian place, because, hey, you can only get into sandro's with a reservation ( as long as 7 days ), and i never plan out that far.
5. Phbl's Review :: August 12, 2007 Phbl's Rating: 3 Stars |
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2139 Kensington Road NW, Calgary, AB |
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MBO Calgary :: Calgary Restaurants & Dining Guide
